HOUSE SPECIAL ELECTION IN HAVERHILL SET FOR NOV. 7

The House on Thursday set a special election date of Tuesday, Nov. 7 for the seat vacated Wednesday by Brian Dempsey, the former chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means. The primary will be held on Oct. 10.

The Third Essex House district features a majority of Haverhill precincts.

To run for the seat, candidates must gather at least 150 certified signatures, which are due at the local level by Aug. 29, with nominations due at the state level by Sept. 5.

Dempsey was first elected to the House in 1990. The Haverhill Democrat plans to start a lobbying job in September. – Andy Metzger and Michael Norton/SHNS